Springing out in Spring

 

 Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels

When I was a kid, every spring my father would cite one of his favorite poems:

Spring is sprung, 

the grass is rizz,

I wonder where the flowers is.

Absolutely awful poetry, but Dad wasn't one for flowery prose. He was more of a non-fiction type and I think he gleefully recited this poem to irk my grandmother, who for many years, was the only person to have earned an almost perfect score on the New York State Regents English exam. (She was told that no one could get a perfect score, so they witheld a point just because.) You did NOT want to play Scrabble with this woman. Even as an author with a college degree in English (okay, yes, I graduated with Honors and also have a degree in Journalism), I refused that challenge. But reciting this terrible, grammatically incorrect, and almost grating bit of poetry every spring is a ritual. 

And now that that's done, it's time to do other spring things:

House: 

1. Clean and refresh my gardens

2. Wash house windows

3. Gather stuff for the garage/yard sale

4. Plant veggies and flowers

5. Think about and plan a vacation/family visit (now that we'll all be vaccinated. Safety first!)

And it probably annoys some people, but I have a list for my writing. (I love lists- I'm so much more productive):

1. Weed through my manuscripts. Some for total overhauling, some for putting back in the draw for another time, and some for sending out on submission.

2. Clear out my office. I'm getting rid of clutter- old draft copies of pubbed novels, like the Sirenz and Blonde OPS books. They're published and now out of print (but ebooks are still available!), and it's been a few years so I don't have to worry about someone falsely claiming that the work is theirs. Also, I move my plants outdoors for a bit of fresh air. Oh yes, and I get rid of books that no longer bring me joy.

3. Plan and make notes for the novel I write over summer. I like to write on my patio or poolside. (This is a different novel than the annual #NaNoWriMo project.)

4. Look at my calendar for book events, like the Collingswood Book Festival. As events and places start to open up, I'm anxious to get out and talk to PEOPLE again. I'm so done with virtual events (which while they sound like a nice idea, aren't really well attended and even after all the work you put in to make a good presentation, sales don't happen).  

5. Review what my writing focus is going to be: writing new novels, revising existing novels, or subbing out novels.

Spring, with the sunshine and warmth, flowers and greenery, gives me such energy. I feel a pressing need to bike for miles and hike new paths. Mostly, I want to Get Things Done. Summer, with its lazy and hazy days of high temps tends to make me a bit languid by noon. I want to swim in my pool, have friends over for a cool drink, and lounge by the firepit.

So, I'm going to ride the wave of energy for as long as it lasts, although with this pandemic, now that we're approaching 'normal' again, I don't want to be distracted by all the things I can do once more, like going to a restaurant with friends/family or a theater. 

Hoping spring brings you all kinds of good things, good people, good vibes, good energy, good intentions.

Char

Clearing Out and Cleaning Up

 This time of year is special to me- 

Here's one reason why; flowers are blooming and they cheer me up after a hard, dreary winter. Spring is here and it means warmer weather and getting outside. It means, especially this year, of being with people (socially distanced, of course). It means a new start. Honestly, I think we should celebrate New Year's on the first day of Spring. Who thinks of doing anything in the middle of winter except hunkering down?

Because of flowers, warm weather, and longer days of sunshine, I'm energized. Sometimes I feel like a solar panel; in the dark I'm listless. When the sun hits, I'm all full of energy and raring to go into action. Unfortunately I can't work in my gardens because the fallen leaves are still protecting precious insects and small animals. (Once it stays above 50 degrees F, they can be cleared.) It's too soon to open the pool and outdoor bar. But there is plenty more I can do. 

1- I replaced the curtain rods in my dining room because I took down the heavy valances. More light filters through and the room feels bigger and brighter. That should make my plants grow like monsters too. 

2- I spent four hours at my church cleaning the grounds, mulching gardens, and planting pansies. We will have outdoor services from Easter on, until hopefully by September the church can be opened. Meeting fellow members and working (socially distanced, of course) gave my spirit such a lift. The hardest part of the epidemic has been the isolation. I got to catch up with church members while I got my hands into the soil and the church looked so welcoming. 

3- I bought a monitor for my laptop. I don't use a pc because I don't want to juggle and transfer stuff between two computers. The problem is my laptop, when it sits on my desk, is too low for comfortable viewing. The screen isn't high enough and my neck gets a crick after a few hours. Plus, the keyboard is not at an optimal level either. I'm tall with long arms and it's like being in a cramped airplane seat. Most things are meant for the average, shorter person. This monitor can be adjusted by heighth and angle of tilt. And yes, the larger screen is easier on the eyes. The new keyboard makes it so I don't have to have my laptop right next to me, causing cricks because I'm turned partway, trying to type and view the screen.  

4- 

I've been decluttering slowly. Last year I had a yard sale but didn't get everything sold and I've put more on the 'For Sale' pile. In the meantime, I'm listing things on Facebook's Marketplace and Neighborhood pages. It takes at least a month or longer to make a sale, but every sale means more free space in my basement or garage, and more money for the kids. (Most of the stuff I sell are their toys and sports equipment or old twin bedroom sets, so I'm dividing the money between them.) And in case you're interested, the above Christmas Poinsettia and Ribbons set has complete service for 12, with extras like a gravy boat, two salt/pepper sets, 2 extra dessert plates, 8 juice glasses, 11 cocktail glasses, all perfect condition, $75.

5- I've been throwing away old versions of manuscripts. Since some of my published books are out of print, there's no sense keeping the previous copies. Almost everything is stored on my computer and extra hard drive, and I have the bound books, so I don't need the paper copies. (I kept them in case there was ever a claim by someone that I stole their work- I could show a clear chain of creation.) Into the recycle pile and I have another clear shelf.

6- I've made a list of all my unpubbed manuscripts and am slowly going through either marking for revision, total overhaul, or to be set aside until a better time while I rethink it. I will send the revised manuscripts out on revision. And if I decide to, I can always Indie publish within a month. Either way, I'm not letting them gather dust any longer. I put a lot of hard work in them and it's time for the words to work for me.

7- My husband and I plan to eventually downsize, so I'm making (another) list of things that need to be done to get top dollar for our house. As each child moves out on their own, I'm painting the rooms and refinishing the floors. (Plus, since they're taking their stuff with them, more space!) I'm simplifying the gardens and addressing jobs like spackling a bumpy wall. It's not so overwhelming when you tackle one task at a time rather than thinking about all the jobs to be done. And, I like the satisfaction of crossing something off my list. 

Looking at all the things I want to accomplish seems a bit daunting, but I'm only looking at one or two at a time. Today, my blog is done (on time...!). Next, I'm finishing typing in the final revisions on a requested R&R (revise and resubmit for non-authors) so it's ready to go April 1st. Later I'll hike about 3 miles. Maybe I'll vacuum the family room too. So while I have four things on my list, it's okay if I don't get to the vacuuming until tomorrow. (It's not like we can have visitors....yet.) 

Hope you're feeling the renewed energy and motivation to do things that need or you want to get done-

Char

Silver Linings and Such

Photo courtesy Pexels

 

2020 sucked for almost everyone. Some had it worse for any number of reasons. Now, as the end is near for this pandemic, I want to focus on positive things. I'm basically an upbeat and optimistic person, which is probably why I don't like angsty books or stupid drama over inconsequential things. Here is a short list of good things I found (not in any order of importance) to be happy about:

1.  We welcomed my grand niece, Savannah Rose, into the world. Such a cutie!

2.  The vaccine was created in record time and in several months, I hope to be vaccinated and enjoying simple pleasures like a movie and hugs again.

3.  My husband retired which means we can travel (maybe I can get him to finish putting up the molding around the house too).

4.  My eldest son achieved Honors in Rutgers School of Engineering. 

5.  My nephew graduated high school and is doing well in college.

6.  My middle son is back in college with a determination to succeed that thrills me.

7.  My youngest is working in the pharmaceutical field with a bright future and recently got a promotion and raise. 

8.  None of my family suffered illness or death due to Covid-19. 

9.  The trees are budding and spring is only days away.

10. I'm revising a manuscript for an interested publisher.

I could make a longer list of things that have gone wrong, but what's the point? There will always be challenges and I prefer to look ahead with hope. 

Wishing you more good things-

Char

Another Classic Bust

 

Leaving the Scientology part out of this discussion, I tried to read L. Ron Hubbard's The Kingslayer. It's considered a science fiction classic. 

Ugh.

If writing about the future, maybe things that were problematic in the writer's time would have been worked out. Society does change, even if it isn't perfect. The issue with this book arises in chapter 2, page 16. A chauffeur named Henry is described as: "...Henry, a huge Negro of no expression whatever..." Now this book was published in 1949 and the term 'Negro' was acceptable and widely used. (I'm not justifying it- I'm only saying it was part of the culture, so don't @ me). What I find offputting is the fact that Henry is portrayed as a servant. From the beginning of this book to wherever I left off, there are no people of color in high level positions. It's a really white world. No way am I saying that this book should be banned, burned, or consigned to oblivion. It is what it is and there is no rewriting history. However, L. Ron considered himself super intelligent, a genius in the field of psychiatric and/or mental sciences. The guy was a kook, a con man, and believer in outrageous science fiction, 'spiritual' and magical practices. Hey, everyone's free to believe what they want. My issue is why his writings about the future didn't forsee a time when all humans were equal and represented as such. If he truly was that brilliant (he wasn't) he could have projected a better society. This book feels so outdated even though it's set in the future. 

In my opinion, this book does not deserve the  title of 'classic piece of literature'. In no way, whether talking about the writing or the content, is it memorable. Back to the bookshelf, unfinished, it goes. Onto the next unread 'classic'. 

Char

A Classic Bore

 We all have those books we've been meaning to read, some of which are considered classics. As an English major, I've had to read a lot of them. Some I enjoy, like Shakespeare's plays, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 

Then, there are those that are painful to read, like anything by D.H. Lawrence, most of the works by Hemingway, and what I'm currently reading, Emma by Jane Austen. 

Honestly, I don't see the appeal of this drawn out, verbose, repetitive novel. It took a whole chapter to describe a character's 'character.' Jane, you could have done it in a paragraph. WHY is this a 'classic?' Because it was written a long time ago? Because other novels by Jane have been a success? All I know is that it's pedantic, tedious, and a real torture to read. And it's an obvious example why high school students hate reading these books. I'm in the middle of chapter 5 and the last page- 391- is looking like it's a universe away and I may never get there. Clearly it was a favorite among the British but not so much among Americans. No one I know seems to have read it. 

Will I finish it? Doubtful. But I'll keep it on my nightstand and delve into it when insomnia hits. Clearly I should be out cold after a chapter or two.

Char

Super Let Down

 Let's just say at least the game made me happy.

My fave player won. (7th SB win, 5th SB MVP) History.

As for creativity in the Super Bowl commercials- most were like the Kansas City Chiefs- a surprising big WTH? If the commercials weren't boring or pedantic, they were maudlin. Have we lost our humor? Yes, thank healthcare workers but we've been doing that since March of last year. After everything we've been through, we NEED humor and levity (especially if you were a Chiefs fan). Out of all the commercials, these were my top 5, but even they were okay, really not worth remembering past today.

#1 - The Tracy Morgan spot with Rocket Mortgage and the 'I'm pretty sure...' scenarios, like 'these are parachutes' and a family jumps out of plane with kiddie backpacks. He tells the family not to worry, and of course the worst happens. I found my first smile here.

#2 - The 'Stand In' aspect of State Farms Insurance where Paul Rudd is supposed to be Patrick Mahomes' double or stand in for a commercial. And the chunky cheesehead guy to stand in for Aaron Rodgers? Even funnier.

#3 - The Tide commercial with Jason Alexander's face on a sweatshirt that changes with the situation: a scrunched up face when the shirt is sat on, or stares back in horror when stuffed in a sweaty gym bag, or scowls when food is splattered on it had it's funny moments. 

#4 - The Samuel Adams beer commercial where a guy "From Boston" let's a familiar looking team of Clydesdales rampage through the city. 

#5 - and it didn't air during the SB (pre- SB) but I thought was The Funniest was the Tom Brady and Gronkowski T Mobile ad which features Gronk telling Brady to retire and enjoy retirement but it gets lost in translation because of dropped coverage, and Brady only hears bits about coming down to Florida and winning another SB championship. It's even funnier because he won another SB. 

We all know we're in this reality together, and there are lots of heroes, and we need social justice, but the ad agencies smothered us with 'message' commercials. I felt like we were constantly being lectured. We wait all year to see these commercials and it was such a big let down. I could have been in the kitchen, heaping my plate with food. Next year I hope that the pandemic has been shut down and we can get back to so many things that we enjoy, and that our humor, love of fun, and happiness return.

Back to revising, writing, subbing, and agent searching.... 

Char

Thoughts on the Day

 

It's Martin Luther King Day. Let's all take a moment to consider why this day is important, and to acknowledge that while we have come far, we have much farther to go. 

Char